THE officer in charge of policing this year's V Festival at Weston Park, Staffordshire, has praised pop fans despite more than 80 arrests at the event.

Chief Inspector Peter Taylor, of Staffordshire Police, said the figure represented a tiny minority of the 85,000 people who attended the site.

The officer said that although the number of arrests had increased to 83 this year in comparison to 81 last year, the number of people coming to the festival had increased, from 72,000 to 85,000, and it was only a very small minority who were intent on criminal activity.

"Early indications are that reported crime level is notably down against previous years which is a huge success for everyone involved in the operation," the officer added.

Those people who were charged over the weekend have had their fingerprints and DNA profile taken.

The samples will be retained on the Police National Computer database and will be available nationally to be searched against other crimes.